Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1887-09-30
THE BALD KNOBBER.S
THE STORY or THE RISE, THE WORK AND THE
FINAL DOWNFALL OF A STRANGE VIGIL
ANCE ORGANIZATION IN MISSOURI

ANCE ORGANIZATION IN MISSOURI.
The history of the recent Missouri organ
ization known as the BALD Knobbers, " to
which public attention has been called by
the arrest, conviction and sentence of a
large number Of its members, reads up to
a certain point, at least, like page out Of
romance. The organization had its origin
and location in Christian and Taney coun-
ties in the extreme southern part Of the
state, and in the beginning was simply a
secret oath bound association of the better
element of the inhabitants TO put an end TO
the rule of crime and lawlessness which
prevailed there. So universal and terrible
had this rule become that from the close of
the war to the spring of 1885 there had
bee 80 wilful murders in Taney county, and
not one person had been convicted Of the
crime Murder, robbery and malicious
mischief became the order of the day, and
an honest mans life was constantly in jeop-
ardy. The people grew restless and impa-
tient that they should pay taxes and not be
protected by the law, and few Of the
boder spirits began to discuss the feasibili-
ty of organizing a vigilance committee
The eliminating point came when an effort
was made TO establish Sunday school and
a band of relatives, the Cogburns by name,
and more depraved and desperate than the
Benders in Kansas, openly interfered and
broke up the meeting by violence. At this
outrage the people became clamorous 10
the county officials and demanded protoc-
ton The officials acknowledged their
weakness and said they could do nothing,
as they could not get a jury that would
dare convict the outlaws. This effort on
the part of the people only increased the
malignity of the men, and a series of per
secutions began. Stock was killed or mu-
tiated, barns and houses were burned, and
the tongues of all the cattle belonging to
one farmer were cut out from purely mali
cious wantonness. A vigilance committee
was talked about, but leader seemed to
be wanting. Just at this time, however,
the most reliable men of the county re-
ceived notice to meet on the top of bare
ridge near Forsyth for the purpose of per
fecting an organization TO protect life and
approached the spot indicated, in terror
lest it should be Il trap into which they were
being drawn. On their arrival at the des-
ignated place they found a man typical Of
the cause for which they were expected to
enlist. Captain Kinney was a giant in
stature, being six and half feet tall and
weighing 262 pounds He was broad shoul-
dered, straight as an arrow and active as
he was fearless. Here, indeed, was lead
er. He was the owner Of a large cattle
ranch near Forsyth and had been pioneer
all his life. He then and there planted the
seed which grew to be the now notorious
Bald Knobbersn This little knot of men
ON the bald knob Of a jutting spur of the
Ozark mountains banded themselves togeth
er for mutual protection, and with clasped
hands took upon themselves a solemn oath
to hunt down criminals and assist and pro-
tect the officers Of the law in the discharge
their duty.
The first to come under the notice of the
organization were the Taylor brothers
These were a set of young desperadoes
who kept the whole county in a state of
terror. They would ride on the porches
and into houses, firing their guns and pis-
tolls through the doors and windows at the
| frightened inmates At times they would
| be absent several days, and on their return
would show quantities Of money, saying
that they did not have 10 work so long as
there was any one to rob In drunken
| . e, 10 ,gf II,
ston and deliberately shot down the wife of
the postmaster because she refused them
credit for a pair of shoes, The husband
attempted resistance, but was instantly
killed.
The call went forth and the Bald Knob
bers started on their first errand of justice.
| Silently the forces were marshalled and 81
| lently the work was performed, The morn
ing sun shono on two dangling corpses,
whose bodies bore a placard which read
Beware These are the first victims t.
the wrath Of outraged citizens. More will
follow (Signed) The Bald Knobbers"
The secrecy and swiftness of the work
fell like thunderbolt on the community,
and hundreds Of citizens from all parts OF
the county became anxious to join the or
,,oni,.t;on and raoo;,,s H. ,,ro,ootion Tbo
,york irorgurotad was continued aud avil
doers began 10 fear the silent vengeance
which seemed cartoin to ovartaka them
| Tho ,o,,r,t,, booLs ,,,ar, o,,a,boulad Ia,
cormi,tas and tba rerrotr.tors of fraud.
were ousted. Elections were called and
honest men were placed in charge of the
agairs - tha oo,,n,y Tus,;oo ,,.s foor
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